The Grotiusgebouw is a university building in the Netherlands that was recently expanded on by Benthem Crouwel architecture firm. The addition makes the most of high glass windows, as well as the potential for digging further into the ground instead of moving further up.
The base part of the building is as such dug into the ground instead of placed above the earth. For those learning inside the building they will have no worries as to whether or not natural light will be shining through. The number of windows around the full circumference of the building indicates that as long as the sun is shining, the lights will not need to be on inside.
For anyone studying at this university, they are sure to be pleased with these new facilities.
Photo Credits: designboom, benthemcrouwel
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sunken-entrance-buildings
- Opportunity for architectural firms to design buildings with sunken entrances, utilizing high glass windows and maximizing natural light.
- Digging-further-into-ground
- Innovation in construction industry to explore the potential of digging further into the ground instead of expanding upwards, allowing for energy-efficient structures.
- Maximizing-natural-light
- Growing demand for buildings with large windows and full circumference windows to maximize the presence of natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Where This Applies
- Architecture
- Opportunity for architecture firms to embrace sunken entrance buildings and incorporate innovative design elements to create sustainable and visually stunning structures.
- Construction
- Construction industry can leverage the concept of digging further into the ground to construct energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings, minimizing the ecological impact.
- Energy-efficiency
- Increasing focus on maximizing natural light in buildings can drive innovation in the energy industry, leading to new technologies and solutions to reduce dependence on artificial lighting.
